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Monday, February 2, 2009

Some ask, “Why is it necessary to connect to a Tzaddik? I know that the Tzaddik is great, but what could be greater than going to Hashem directly?”

The Rebbe addresses this question in the sicha below:

There is another lesson from the combination of the Parshiyos [Torah portions, sing. Parsha] of Vayakeil and Pekudei. The Parshiyos of Terumah and Tetzaveh describe how Hashem commanded Moshe to construct the Mishkan and its vessels, while the [later] Parshiyos of Vayakeil and Pekudei describe how Moshe told the Jewish people to construct the Mishkan and its vessels, and they implemented this. However, in between these two activities there was something that separated and disturbed this, as described in the Parsha of KiSisa [regarding the sin of worshipping the golden calf].

However, when the command was issued by MosheRabeinu, as described in the Parsha of Vayakeil, the Mishkan was immediately built and completed. This is one of the ideas represented by the combination of the Parshiyos of Vayakeil and Pekudei.

In most years, Vayakeil and Pekudei are combined, and “we follow the majority.” Even when the evil inclination mixes in and several more days may pass (until the directive as issued via MosheRabeinu is carried out), still, nothing else occurs in between. Ultimately every Jew will certainly do Teshuva, but when the matter is revealed via MosheRabeinu and “the extension of Moshe in every generation” [TikkuneiZohar, Tikkun 69, 112a, 114a] this matter will certainly be accomplished, i.e., the Jewish people will certainly perform their divine service, and this will surely bring “the glory of G–d to fill the Mishkan.”

When a command is issued directly from Hashem, the Jewish people don’t necessarily follow through with alacrity. Moreover, they may become sidetracked with trivialities, or even sins. However, when they hear it from MosheRabeinu or his extension in every generation, there might be a slight delay, but then they move to carrying out the instruction without going through a stage of sinning.

As is known (for example, see here), the Tzaddikim are “the extension of Moshe in every generation.” Here the Rebbe is saying that knowing that the Mitzvos were commanded by Hashem is insufficient. Bonding with Tzaddikim and receiving their guidance in divine service has a special power to inspire the Jew, protect him from sin, and bring him to perform the Mitzvos with alacrity (see also here).

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The Rebbe declared:

“The time for your redemptionhas arrived!”

The Rebbe has informed us that Moshiach will bring the final redemption very soon. Thus, everyone should prepare themselves to greet him through increasing in study of Torah, concentration in prayer, and performance of Mitzvos. In particular, the Rebbe has called for:

*acts of random loving-kindness to a fellow Jew;*material and spiritual charity;*study and dissemination of Chassidus;*study and dissemination of topics related to Moshiach and the redemption;*earnestly praying for the coming of Moshiach;*and promoting the observance of the Noahide Code amongst non-Jews.